Girls rights in the UK

Girls’ rights in the UK

The UK is failing girls

For the first time, we’re shining the spotlight on the situation for girls in the UK. Our report, The State of Girls’ Rights, shows that being young and female in this country comes with specific challenges, from stereotyping to sexual harassment at school, pressures around body image and the struggle to stay safe online.

It also highlights the fact that a girl’s quality of life is tied to where she lives. Our first-of-its-kind analysis, ranked by local authority, highlights the best and worst places to be a girl in England and Wales and asks why – despite living in the fifth richest country in the world – girls in the UK are still being denied their rights.

Today, these everyday barriers are having a profound impact on girls’ lives and their ability to participate and express themselves freely. That’s why were’ calling on the UK Government to tackle the root causes of gender equality and to end violence against girls. Download your copy of the report or read the executive summary.

RELATIONSHIPS AND SEX EDUCATION

You stood with young people across the country, as they called for mandatory Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) in UK schools – and it worked! The UK Government pledged to introduce statutory RSE across all secondary schools, and statutory relationships education across all primary schools in England.

The Government consultation on the new curriculum has now closed and we'll be keeping a close eye on what happens next, to make sure it includes the issues young people told us matter most to them, from sexting and consent to preventing abusive relationships.

RECLAIMING THE INTERNET FOR GIRLS

Girls have the right to be online and express their views safely. But what should be an empowering space can quickly become threatening. Not only are girls facing immense pressure in the digital world, they’re also more at risk of harassment, abuse and being pressured into sending explicit images than their male counterparts.

As a result, girls are censoring what they say and in some cases withdrawing from the digital space altogether – losing their voice online. That’s why we’re calling for change at an international level, to recognise girls’ digital experiences and their right to be online.